Friday, March 21, 2014

Training Update-Nike Women's Half DC

Time to come clean, I have been doing some serious slacking in training for my 2nd half. I know what factors have been affecting my training or lack thereof. I also know that I'm only hurting myself and no one else can run this race but me. GAHHH I know better but why do I keep doing this to myself?! Here's the culprits of why my performance has been so lack-luster.

1. Weather

When I moved from Florida back home to New Jersey this past April, I distinctly remember telling my boyfriend, Bryan (who was born in Florida and raised in Minnesota) "Winters in New Jersey are nowhere near as bad as Minnesota winters." Insert foot into mouth. Thank you universe for rewarding us with the worst winter New Jersey has seen in YEARS. When I started running last February, I could just hop outside in my shorts in the 70 + degree weather and take a loop around the neighborhood whenever I pleased. Now I have to bundle up, drive to the gym, fight through the after work crowd to secure a treadmill etc. I'm really missing the convenience factor the warm weather affords you of being able to run outside whenever you please. Considering the bulk of my training is during these frigid winter months I really need to dig extra deep for that motivation.

2.  Lack of Training Partner

Part of the reason I felt so prepared for Wine & Dine was because I had Kayla as a training buddy. There was always someone to talk and share the experience with. I was always researching and looking for any tips that would help us along our new endeavor. Part of this second half still doesn't feel like it's happening because I'm not constantly talking about it or obsessing over it with someone else. Reality check-It's happening whether I'm prepared or not!

3. I'm a HUGE procrastinator

Plain and simple. I have perfected the art of procrastinating. One of my interior design professors at school called interior designers "Professional Procrastinators," and I couldn't find it to be more true. I'm used to being able to pull an all nighter and come out with a decent product. Half marathon training is one place in my life where I know that pushing everything off to the last minutes will NOT help. It will probably just leave me injured and unhappy. 

When I signed up for this race I thought I'd be able to go out and crush my last half time. I had figured out all my problem areas the last round of training; this time I just needed to go out and put in the work. I haven't been putting in as much work as I should and I'm at the point now where I'm telling myself, "Enough! Put on your big girl panties and do the work!" 

From here on out I've written every workout on my calendar so I have to look at it every day. I can tell Bryan on any given day to make sure I go do my run and he is more than happy to remind me and give me the push I need. Since I don't have a training partner to hold me accountable, he is great at making sure I do what I've set out to do for the day. I can tell you this past week I've gotten in all my training runs and I already feel better. Why don't I do this all the time?! It's been the push I need to keep me going in the right direction. 

Lauren

QOTD: What do you do to keep your motivation up during training when you're just not feeling it?

10 comments:

  1. I wish I had an easy answer for that procrastination issue... If I ever figure it out, I'll be sure to let you know.
    I think the calendar is a good idea. I've found that being able to cross things off, or see a plan helps me to keep things more immediate. Sometimes it's really just a matter of putting on your running shoes without thinking about it...
    Bottom line that worked well for me, I paid for a personal training plan. It gave me a new focus.

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  2. I'd love to know the secret to evading procrastination, keep me posted! I think the idea of a personal trainer is great as well and something I've considered but isn't in the cards for me financially at the moment unfortunately. Thanks for the encouraging words in the mean time!

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  3. You are not kidding! Winter this year has been brutal ( we are also on the east coast)! I think because of this many people have been lacking in their training this year (except maybe the floridians and Californians...haha)!

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    1. And now more snow tomorrow--maybe I should've staying in Florida!

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  4. I put it on my todo list- and magically feel compelled to run/train so I can cross it off! It's crazy but that's what helps me keep focused!

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    1. That's why I still love my paper calendars, there's nothing like the feeling of crossing something off you list!

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  5. Just know that you're not alone in your feelings about this year's winter training. I've had to do many more runs on the treadmill over the past several months than I'd like to, and I'm looking forward to spring and warmer weather like we had this past weekend. I find myself more motivated to run the warmer it is.

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    1. I guess this is part of the learning process, training for a spring half means lots of runs during the harsh winter moths. We'll just learn how to better prepare ourselves in the future!

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  6. YAY another blogger friend who will be at NWH-DC! I'm so excited how many of us will be there this year!

    As for getting motivated, just going through the motions often helps me. Get home, change into workout clothes and shoes, walk to gym, get on treadmill, run. Kind of take my brain out of the situation and just go. I hope this can help you - best of luck in your training! :0)

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    1. Another blogger and another Lauren--what could be better!?

      I know once I get back into a groove I'll be better, but coming home from work and changing straight into workout clothes has been a big help. I can't give myself time to think myself out of it!

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